£100 Million Development For Peterborough

The ambitious North Westgate project, which plans to regenerate a key part of Peterborough's city centre, is gearing up to submit a new planning application early in the summer.

The developers have been engaging with members of the city council, MPs and the local community to share their exciting plans for the £100 million project, which include a new eight-screen cinema complex, a new public square around Westgate Church as well as homes, offices, shops and restaurants.

Marco Cereste, Leader of Peterborough City Council said: "Hawksworth's proposals show that this city is a place where people want to invest. The regeneration of the city centre that has taken place so far has attracted new businesses to Peterborough as well as created new homes and jobs. "We've made huge strides in the past few years following the investment in Cathedral Square and around the Station Quarter and with developers now coming forward, and our partnership with Lucent to redevelop Fletton Quays, there is still so much more to come.

"We've made very clear our vision for the city centre to be a leading destination for shopping, leisure, culture, business and entertainment. Hawksworth's proposals for a new city centre cinema, hotel, restaurants and bars would bring new jobs for the city, and entice more people into Peterborough both in the daytime and evenings. I hope all interested parties in North Westgate can work together to develop the best scheme for residents and visitors to Peterborough."

An important feature of the development is the retention of Peterborough's much-loved venue and micro-brewery, the Brewery Tap. Paul Hook, owner of Oaka, the company behind the Brewery Tap, said: "Now that the Brewery Tap's future is secure, we are excited about the North Westgate development. This area has huge potential and the plans look set to make it a really appealing destination. We look forward to seeing it taking shape."

The North Westgate development extends from Bourges Boulevard across to Lincoln Road, and from Bright Street on the north side to Westgate at the south. The aim is to create a regional leisure centre that will regenerate not only the North Westgate area but the whole of the city centre. It will create 120 new one, two and three-bedroom city apartments, some with rooftop gardens, plus a 100-room hotel. The development will be pedestrian friendly, creating an appealing outdoor space with external dining areas for cafes and restaurants, and Westgate Church as a focal point. With luxury office space a key part of the project, it is anticipated that 1,500 new jobs will be created.

Peter Breach, Chairman of Hawksworth Securities, the investment company behind the development said: "This development will play a pivotal role in Peterborough's ongoing regeneration. The new cinema, hotel, restaurants and bars will bring new jobs and entice more people into Peterborough both in the daytime and evenings.

"The consultation phase for this project is a vital one. The North Westgate development will deliver major benefits to the city, at both an economic and a cultural level, and we want to ensure we are working in harmony with the local community. The time is now right to push this project forward and we will be submitting our planning application shortly. There are plenty of activities in the pipeline and we look forward to sharing more details."